07/10/2026
Press Release
UN Tourism Affiliate Member CIFFT Appoints M.Z.I. Dalton Zahir as Ambassador for Asia, Etching Bangladesh onto the Global Tourism Leadership Map
VIENNA, AUSTRIA –6th October, 2026 — The International Committee of Tourism Film Festivals (CIFFT), an affiliate member of UN Tourism, is pleased to announce the official appointment of Mr. Mohammad Zahirul Islam (Dalton Zahir) as the CIFFT Ambassador for Asia.
This milestone appointment marks a proud moment of international achievement for Bangladesh, bringing the nation’s name to the forefront of global travel and media leadership. This is a major achievement for Bangladesh. In this strategic capacity, Mr. Zahir will represent CIFFT and the world-renowned World Tourism Film Awards across the Asian region, driving innovation in tourism promotion and fostering international collaboration.
Promoting Destination Storytelling Across Asia
As CIFFT Ambassador for Asia, Mr. Zahir’s core responsibilities include:
Promoting CIFFT’s Mission: Advancing international initiatives and awareness of the World Tourism Film Awards across Asia.
Building Strategic Networks: Engaging national and regional tourism boards, public institutions, production companies, creative agencies, and private sector partners interested in destination branding through audiovisual media.
Supporting Creators & Destination Brands: Advising potential participants on submitting promotional video content and tourism films to the global CIFFT Circuit.
Elevating Asian Media Production: Encouraging excellence in travel video marketing and strengthening international recognition for Asian travel films.
Regional Point of Contact: Acting as the primary liaison between CIFFT headquarters in Vienna and Asian partners seeking collaboration.
"Mr. Zahir’s appointment reflects CIFFT’s commitment to strengthening its presence in Asia and fostering closer cooperation with organizations and professionals who contribute to destination promotion through high-quality video storytelling," stated Mr. Alexander V. Kammel, CIFFT Director.
Distinguished Background of M.Z.I. Dalton Zahir
With over 25 years of expertise across hospitality, tourism, and multinational corporate sectors, Mr. Mohammad Zahirul Islam (Dalton Zahir) is a celebrated industry leader, author, and media innovator who has consistently championed "Beautiful Bangladesh" and South Asian tourism on global platforms.
Industry Expertise: Over 25 years of specialized leadership across hospitality, travel, media, and multinational corporations.
Author & Writer: Authored and published 5 books covering various diverse subjects including literature, poetry, and social narratives.
Enterprises & Media Initiatives: Founder and CEO of leading global travel platforms, including Travellerkey, Europekey, TravellerTimes, and Welcome Bangladesh.
Leadership Roles: Director of the Tourism Developers Association of Bangladesh (TDAB), President of the International Ecotourism Society, and Global Ambassador for Skål International, Argentina.
Hospitality & Corporate Experience: Led BRAC Services Limited (BRAC Hotel Group) as Group Head of Sales and Marketing, alongside executive leadership roles at top-tier properties including Rose View Hotel, Grand Sultan Tea Resort & Golf, Ocean Paradise, and Lakeshore Hotel. His corporate career includes executive tenures with leading global tech and media brands such as Motorola Mobile, Apple Computer, Philips Mobile, and Fujifilm.
Global Network: Active member of esteemed international bodies including Skål International Madrid, the Photographic Society of America, Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), and the European American Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Through this global appointment, Dalton Zahir’s elevated role within the UN Tourism affiliate ecosystem reinforces Bangladesh's growing influence in international tourism governance and destination storytelling.
About CIFFT & The CIFFT Circuit
Created in 1989, the International Committee of Tourism Film Festivals (CIFFT) brings together international corporate and tourism film festivals under the CIFFT Circuit, the world’s premier award initiative for travel video marketing, promotional videos, and social media campaigns.
Entries in the CIFFT Circuit compete to earn points toward the official CIFFT Rankings, culminating in the annual World Tourism Film Awards, which honors the year's best promotional videos across five primary categories:
World's Best in City Promotion
World's Best in Region Promotion
World's Best in Country Promotion
World's Best in Tourism Products
World's Best in Tourism Services
Member Festivals of the CIFFT Circuit
The world’s best tourism film festivals that make up the CIFFT Circuit include:
Amorgos Tourism Film Festival – Amorgos, Greece,
ART&TUR - International Tourism Film Festival – Ovar, Portugal,
Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards – Cannes, France,
Internationale Wirtschaftsfilmtage – Vienna, Austria,
Japan World’s Tourism Film Festival – Koka, Shiga, Japan,
New York Festivals TV & Film Awards – New York, USA,
SILKFEST – Belgrade, Serbia
Terres Travel Festival – Films & Creativity – Tortosa, Spain,
US International Awards – Los Angeles, California, USA,
Zagreb TourFilm Festival – Zagreb, Croatia.
Global Endorsers & Strategic Partners:
CIFFT operates with the official endorsement and partnership of leading international travel institutions:
UN Tourism (formerly UNWTO)
European Travel Commission (ETC)
Central America Tourism Agency (CATA)
Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)
Skål International
Tourism and Society Think Tank (TSTT)
CIFFT Team & Leadership Structure
Executive Team
Alexander V. Kammel – CIFFT Director
Hugo Marcos – CIFFT General Secretary
Verónica Moreira – Sales & Client Manager
Carolina Fontana – Marketing & PR Manager
Global Ambassador Network:
Sergey Stanovkin (United Kingdom) – Ambassador, Eurasia
Rogerio Raupp Ruschel (Brazil) – Ambassador, Brazil
Mustapha Joudaane Raiss (Morocco) – Ambassador, Africa & Middle East
Mohammad Zahirul Islam / Dalton Zahir (Bangladesh) – Ambassador, Asia.
Contact & Secretariat Information
International Committee of Tourism Film Festivals (CIFFT)
c/o Kammel Österreichisches Filmservice e.U.
Schaumburgergasse 18 • 1040 Vienna, Austria
Tel: +43 (1) 5055337 |
Email: [email protected] | Web: www.cifft.com
Media Inquiries & Regional Collaboration
For media inquiries, partnership opportunities, or festival submissions across Asia, please contact Mr. Dalton Zahir or the CIFFT Secretariat directly at [email protected].
Part 2: Newspaper Feature Article
"Bangladeshi Tourism Pioneer Dalton Zahir Takes Asia Leadership Role at UN Tourism Affiliate Body CIFFT"
By Special Correspondent
Visual storytelling and destination branding have become two of the most powerful catalysts in modern global tourism development. At the helm of setting international standards for travel marketing is the Vienna-based International Committee of Tourism Film Festivals (CIFFT), an official affiliate member of UN Tourism. In a landmark moment for South Asian tourism diplomacy, Bangladeshi tourism veteran Mohammad Zahirul Islam (Dalton Zahir) has officially been appointed as the CIFFT Ambassador for Asia.
This global appointment marks a major achievement for Bangladesh, positioning the nation prominently in global tourism governance and media innovation.
A Quarter-Century of Excellence Across Sectors
Dalton Zahir's rise to international leadership stems from over 25 years of diverse executive experience across tourism, luxury hospitality, media platforms, and global tech corporations.
Throughout his career, he has served as Group Head of Sales and Marketing for BRAC Services Limited (BRAC Hotel Group) and held senior executive positions at premier luxury properties including Rose View Hotel, Grand Sultan Tea Resort & Golf, Ocean Paradise, and Lakeshore Hotel. His corporate portfolio extends into multinational giants, having managed operations and marketing for global brands such as Motorola Mobile, Apple Computer, Philips Mobile, and Fujifilm.
As a media entrepreneur, Zahir founded and leads several international travel platforms, including Travellerkey, Europekey, TravellerTimes, and Welcome Bangladesh. A versatile writer and thinker, he has also authored and published 5 books spanning diverse literary, social, and cultural themes.
Bridging Global Networks
Zahir’s global footprints are well established. He holds the distinction of being the first Bangladeshi member of Skål International Madrid, serves as Director of the Tourism Developers Association of Bangladesh (TDAB), and acts as Global Ambassador for Skål International Argentina. His international affiliations also include memberships with the Photographic Society of America, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), and the European American Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Driving Asian Destination Storytelling
Officially confirmed by CIFFT Director Alexander V. Kammel in Vienna, Zahir's ambassadorial role charges him with leading CIFFT’s promotional efforts across Asia. He will oversee regional engagement for the CIFFT Circuit—a prestigious network uniting ten of the world’s top tourism film festivals, including the Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards, the New York Festivals TV & Film Awards, and the Japan World’s Tourism Film Festival.
In his new position, Zahir will connect national tourism boards, creative agencies, and production houses across Asia to global platforms, elevating Asian destination branding onto the world stage.
A Legacy of National Pride
Dalton Zahir’s appointment within the UN Tourism affiliate framework shines a global spotlight on Bangladesh’s growing influence in international tourism governance. His journey serves as a powerful inspiration for media professionals and tourism leaders across Asia, demonstrating how vision and dedication can bridge local potential with world-class leadership.
